Mike is a retired stock broker, and now published author of Gold Rush!. In addition, he is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, personal finance and home decor now writing from San Miguel, Mexico.

What does it take to get their attention? In the case of Illinois chief fiscal officer, Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford, said Monday he is willing to dial up the bond houses and finance companies to alert them that lending the state more money would be a “major risk.”

“If I need to send letters o the rating companies to tell them the treasurer of Illinois is opposed to more borrowing, I’m going to do that.”